Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Neal Lee Morris, age 43, of Ada, Oklahoma was sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment, and 3 years of supervised release for Felon In Possession Of Firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). The charges arose from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Indictment alleged that on June 21, 2019 the defendant, who had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed a firearm which had been shipped and transported in interstate commerce.

United States Attorney Brian J. Kuester said, “A priority of the Department of Justice is to combat and reduce violent crime. A key strategy to achieving this priority is enforcing federal gun laws thereby removing guns from those who unlawfully possess them. This defendant had numerous felony convictions and had his weapon in the seat beside him when he was stopped by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for traffic violations. The federal law enforcement community proudly partners with state, local and tribal agencies as the ATF and this office did in this case to help them further our shared mission to serve and protect.”

“Individuals are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition after being convicted of a felony,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II. “Despite multiple felony convictions, Mr. Morris was armed when encountered by law enforcement. Federal prosecution of this crime demonstrates ATF is accountable to, and will protect, our local, state and federal partners and the communities we serve.”

The Honorable Ronald A. White, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.

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